Anna Paquin says a 'super-hostile' TSA agent made her cry

Anna Paquin, on the set of the Build Series NYC in January, had a travel experience that left her in tears. (Photo: Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images)

Even if you have a full set of brand-new Louis Vuitton luggage, the world’s best travel pillow, and a personal valet to tote it all through the airport for you, commercial plane travel is a drag. For Anna Paquin on Wednesday, it was a teary drag.

The True Blood alum, 36, shared in an Instagram post that she had a trip from hell when, while departing Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, she had a ” super hostile” run-in with a TSA agent — in front of her 5-year-old twins, Poppy and Charlie — that left her in tears. According to her version of events, she asked an agent a “simple polite question” and the person “snapped” and “yelled” at her.”

“Makes ya feel super dignified walking through the airport with kids and gear unable to stop crying,” wrote a red-faced Paquin, who is married to actor Stephen Moyer, her onetime True Blood co-star. And she was especially bummed because it was a terrible way to “leave the incredibly hospitable and polite” city, where Moyer has been shooting Fox’s The Gifted.

Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer at the Canada Walk of Fame at the Liberty Grand in November in Toronto. (Photo: George Pimentel/WireImage)

The experience was even more baffling to Paquin because as a mom of young twins, she’s extra mindful of her manners and tone while traveling. “I assume nobody is pleased to see me in these settings and go on the charm offensive hard core!” she wrote.

A spokesperson for Paquin hasn’t yet shared more details about the incident — and the TSA hasn’t commented either — but the New Zealand-raised star has been getting a lot of support from her followers because, let’s be honest, who doesn’t have a horrible travel story?

“I understand the frustration. I try to think to myself that they must be having a really bad day to treat people the way they do,” one commenter said. Another added, “Traveling with small kids is extremely stressful. The last thing you need is someone who has zero understanding yelling at you.” Someone else wrote, “Atlanta loves you. Let it out and then regroup. I cried in Target last week.” A mother shared a similar story: “I had broken down in tears bc of a rude TSA agent as well. I got lucky and a female TSA agent who is a mother came to my rescue like an angel. Its hard enough to navigate the airport w children. The last thing a mother needs is an attitude and disrespect.”

And while the puffiness in her eyes didn’t go down immediately, the rest of the flight shaped up. She later shouted out Delta’s good service and gave herself a pat on the back for cleverly putting one of her sleeping kids on a moving suitcase — while carrying the other — on the way to baggage claim.

This isn’t the first time Paquin’s travels made headlines. In March, the family’s dogs were quarantined in London “for 21 days for NO REASON,” according to the couple. (The government said it was an issue with shots.) They started an online campaign to #FreeDaveandBanjo.” The dogs were finally released in April.